In what I can only describe as an exercise in pointless ostentaion, Gibson has partnered with high-fashion Hong Kong jeweler Aaron Shum to create what is touted as the “world’s most valuable guitar.” And apparently that is its raison d’etre as it was certified by Guiness for a world record at the Baselworld jewelry show. A Gibson SG model encrusted with 400 carats of diamonds and 1.6 kilograms of 18k gold, they claim the instrument is worth a cool $2 million. At the unveiling they had an unnamed rocker shred a couple of riffs on the thing to prove that it was playable.
I look forward to manufacturers of other items not usually associated with jewelry to offer similarly glitzy versions of hand tools, vacuum cleaners, or bicycle tire pumps.
I think they may have a record for “most expensive,” but I would nominate any number of guitars among the “most valuable.” Like B.B. King’s “Lucille,” or Clapton’s “Blackie,” or Hendrix’s 1968 Stratocaster.
